What does the © symbol signify?

The © symbol signifies that the material is copyrighted. Copyright is a legal framework that grants the creator of an original work exclusive rights to its use and distribution, typically for a limited time, with the intention of enabling the creator to receive recognition and financial benefits from their work. Displaying the © symbol indicates that the creator has registered their work with copyright protection, and it serves as a notice to others that the work is protected under copyright law. This means that unauthorized use, reproduction, or distribution of the work can lead to legal repercussions for the infringer.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately represent the implications of the © symbol; for example, indicating that a work is in the public domain or free to use would incorrectly suggest it lacks copyright protection.